PRODUCT DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

These units encourage students to produce innovative solutions to various set design problems and develop research skills through a number of investigation assignments. Students work through a series of projects using a range of materials and systems drawn from wood, metal, plastics or fibres, yarns, fabrics. These projects are designed to encourage students to develop skills in investigation and technical reporting, designing, manufacturing and evaluation.

Unit 1: Semester 1

Product re-design and sustainabilityThis unit focuses on the analysis, modification and improvement of product design. It provides a structured approach towards the design process, and looks at examples of design practice used by a designer. The students examine the tools, processes and techniques and knowledge used by a designer to develop a solution to a specific problem.

On completion of the unit, students should be able to: use methods and processes used by the designer to design and manufacture a product. They should know how to use and evaluate the use of materials, tools, equipment and processes applied in the production of a product.

Unit 2: Semester 2

Collaborative Design
In this unit students work as a member of a team to develop a product range or contribute to the design and production of a group product. This mirrors professional design practice where designers often work within a multidisciplinary team to develop a solution to design problems. The students learn about restrictions and parameters within design set by the end-user’s needs, producer’s requirements, social conventions and environmental concerns. This unit focuses on the impact of these factors on the design solution.

On completion of this unit students should be able to: work as a member of a team to identify a need and use a structured approach to problem-solving. They should know how to justify, manage, safely use and evaluate appropriate production processes.

Unit 3: Semester 1

Applying the Product design process
This unit focuses on the design and development of a product for the mass market. It requires students to design for others. Product development in industry is investigated through the study of ways of establishing needs and other considerations that are observed when developing the design and product for a client.

On completion of this unit students should be able to: explain the role of the designer and how products are designed and produced to meet the needs of a client. They also need to explain how products are designed and produced within an industrial/commercial setting. Finally students are asked to develop a product for a client.

Unit 4: Semester 2

Product Development and EvaluationThis unit focuses on how judgements about the success of products can be informed by a comparison in terms of a product’s quality, usefulness and appeal. The role and influence of product promotion and marketing are also considered.

On completion of this unit students should be able to: explain the relationships linking aesthetic appeal, function of products and user needs. They need to develop a product for a client and evaluate the final design and production in relation to the needs of the client.